HVO/USGS Volcanic Activity Notice



Volcano: Mauna Loa (VNUM #332020)



Current Volcano Alert Level: ADVISORY

Previous Volcano Alert Level: WATCH



Current Aviation Color Code: YELLOW

Previous Aviation Color Code: ORANGE



Issued: Tuesday, December 13, 2022, 7:17 AM HST

Source: Hawaiian Volcano Observatory

Notice Number: 2022/H657

Location: N 19 deg 28 min W 155 deg 36 min

Elevation: 13681 ft (4170 m)

Area: Hawaii



Volcanic Activity Summary:

Mauna Loa is no longer erupting. Lava supply to the fissure 3 vent on the Northeast Rift Zone ceased on December 10 and sulfur dioxide emissions have decreased to near pre-eruption background levels. Volcanic tremor and earthquakes associated with the eruption are greatly diminished.

Accordingly, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) is lowering the Volcano Alert Level for ground-based hazards from WATCH to ADVISORY and the Aviation Color Code from ORANGE to YELLOW. 

Spots of incandescence may remain near the vent, along channels, and at the flow front for days or weeks as the lava flows cool. However, eruptive activity is not expected to return based on past eruptive behavior. Summit and Northeast Rift Zone inflation continues. 

 

HVO continues to closely monitor Mauna Loa for signs of renewed activity. Should volcanic activity change significantly a new Volcanic Activity Notice will be issued immediately. 

 

Residents and visitors should stay informed and follow County of Hawai‘i and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park guidelines. 

For more information about the meaning of aviation color codes, see https://www.usgs.gov/programs/VHP/volcanic-alert-levels-characterize-conditions-us-volcanoes 

Recent Observations:

[Volcanic cloud height] N/A

[Other volcanic cloud information] N/A

[Ballistics] N/A

[Lava flow/dome] N/A

[Lava flow] N/A



Hazard Analysis:

[General hazards] For discussion of Mauna Loa hazards, please see: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/hawaii_hazards.html and https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2012/3104/

[Ash cloud] N/A

[Ashfall] N/A

[Lava flow/dome] N/A

[Mud flow] N/A

[Volcanic gas] N/A

[Other hazards] N/A

[Lava flow] N/A



Remarks:

Continuing hazards 

A vent on the west side of the fissure 3 cone remains incandescent and occasionally produces small explosions as trapped gases are released. The lava flows around the vent remain hot and unstable. The vent area is also cut by numerous ground cracks. 

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park has closed the Mauna Loa Road from Kīpukapuaulu and the closure extends to the summit caldera; for more information please see https://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm. 

 

Contacts:

askHVO@usgs.gov



Next Notice:

Mauna Loa updates will be issued daily until December 15, after which they will be issued weekly on Thursdays. Should volcanic activity change significantly a new VAN will be issued. Regularly scheduled updates on the status of Mauna Loa will be posted on the HVO website at https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna-loa/volcano-updates  

More Information:

• Mauna Loa activity summary also available by phone: (808) 967-8866
• Mauna Loa webcam images: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna-loa/webcams
• Mauna Loa photos/video: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna-loa/photo-and-video-chronology-mauna-loa
• Mauna Loa maps: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna-loa/maps
• Mauna Loa FAQs: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna-loa/frequently-asked-questions-about-mauna-loa-volcano
• Recent Volcano Watch on Mauna Loa: https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/news/volcano-watch-mauna-loa-reawakens-0
• Map-based webpage for Mauna Loa: https://geonarrative.usgs.gov/maunaloa/       
• Additional Mauna Loa Resources: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna-loa/prepare-mauna-loa-resources

Subscribe to these messages: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vns2/

Summary of volcanic hazards from eruptions: https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/hazards

Recent earthquakes in Hawaiʻi (map and list): https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo

Explanation of Volcano Alert Levels and Aviation Color Codes: https://www.usgs.gov/programs/VHP/volcanic-alert-levels-characterize-conditions-us-volcanoes